Movable pedestal invalid table with offset side standard



E. FRANK Oct. 1, 1957 MOVABLE PEDESTAL INVALID TABLE WITH ODFSET SIDE STANDARD Filed March 3 1, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEY E. FRANK Oct. 1, 1957 MOVABLE PEDESTAL INVALID TABLE WITH OFFSET SIDE STANDARD Filed March 31, 1954' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IEIfi.

1! TTORNE Y United States Patent 9 MOVABLE PEDESTAL INVALID TABLE WITH OFFSET SIDE STANDARD Emanuel Frank, New York, N. Y.

Application March 31, 1954, Serial No. 420,091

1 Claim. (Cl. 311-40) The present invention relates a single pedestal invalid table, and particularly relates to a table of the type which may be readily employed either in connection with invalid beds or invalid chairs.

In many types of invalid tables which are positioned alongside or above an invalids bed or an invalids chair, considerable difficulty is encountered in placing the structure so that it will be most convenient to the invalid, whether in prone, reclining or sitting positions, without requiring such invalid to necessarily stretch or move his or her arms in order to reach or handle objects or foodstuffs which are placed upon the table.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide a novel invalid table which may be utilized either over the bed or over the chair, and which may most readily be moved into position with maximum convenience to the user, either for writing, eating or ablutions.

Another object is to provide a novel invalid table of the character described which may be conveniently utilized in connection with wheelchairs, beds, cribs, chairs and the like, and which may readily be moved into position without conflict, without the supporting structure of the invalid table and the chair, bed or crib under-structure, and with the further assurance that the table will always be in the most convenient position for use by the invalid in reading, writing or cosmetic operations.

Still further objects and advantages will appear in the more detailed description set forth below, it being understood, however, that this more detailed description is given by way of illustration and explanation only, and not by way of limitation, since various changes therein may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

In accomplishing the above objects, it has been found most satisfactory, according to one embodiment of the present invention, to provide a new base frame for the invalid or beside table structure, the legs of which will be sufliciently spaced apart to permit ready placement around the wheels of a wheelchair or other invalid-support structure and which at the same time will also permit close movement of the table up to and under the arms and head of the invalid so that it may be readily used.

In the preferred form it has been found that these objects may be accomplished by providing a new frame which will act as the base structure and which will embrace and extend around the outside of the wheels or other supports of an invalid chair and which will at the same time support the table off-center and, desirably, on one of the side legs of the base U-frame.

Normally, the preferred construction contemplates placing the support midway of one of the legs and having the far edge of the table substantially above and parallel to the base of the U-structure, although the vertical support for the superimposed table is preferably on one of the legs of the U, it may also be set outside of one of the legs of the U by an extension structure.

The base U-frame may be made of a single channel member with the U opening downwardly, or it may be made of a tubular member or it may be made of a double channel.

The U-frame may vary in depth from 14 to 24 inches and the vertical pedestal may be placed on either the rght or left side of the U-frame to accommodate righthanded or lefthanded patients.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more specifically described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifica tions can'be resorted to which fall within the scope of the claim hereunto appended.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Fig. l is a front perspective view showing the U-frarne table of the present invention used in conjunction with a wheelchair and with the table positioned directly under the arms and chin of the invalid.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the superimposed table partly broken away to show part of the U-frame base structure.

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view upon the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 and upon an enlarged scale as compared to Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a side perspective view upon a reduced scale as compared to Figs. 2 and 3 and upon a somewhat increased scale as compared to Fig. l of an alternative form.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view upon the line 5-5 of Fig. 4, on a reduced scale as compared to Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view similar to Fig. 5, upon a smaller scale than Figs. 4 and 5 and showing the pedestal positioned on the opposite side so that a righthand table is provided as contrasted to the lefthand type of Figs. 1 to 5.

Fig. 7 is adetail side perspective view showing the manner in which the base frame structure may be assembled to the pedestal.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view showing an alternative mounting of a pedestal upon a table channel construction base frame, being upon an enlarged scale compared to Figs. 1 to 7.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 5, the invalid table of the present invention has the base U-frame A, the single pedestal B, and the table structure C. In Fig. l, the base A is shown in position embracing the wheels D of a wheelchair E.

It will be noted that the tray of food, as indicated at F, is directly below and in convenient position in respect to the fore-arms G of the invalid or patient H.

The pedestal B may be adjusted so as to move the table upwardly and downwardly by the adjusting mechanism J in Fig. 3. A different form of this adjusting mechanism is shown at K in Figs. 4 and 5.

Referring specifically to the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 3, the U-frame A has a base portion 10 with the side legs 11 and 12. This base structure A is, desirably, covered by the casters 13, 14, 15 and 16, which enable the frame A to be rolled'over the floor. As shown in Fig. 3; each castor has a wheel 17 pivotally mounted at 18 upon the U-frame structure 19.

This structure has an upwardly extending stud pivot Theirnportantjfeature of the present invention i s the spacing of the legs 11 and 12 so that they will embrace the widest spacing of the wheels or legs of an invalid chair in conjunction with the positioning of the pedestal ODTOHE of the legsl l, as shown in Figs. 1105;.

Whereas the maximum. spacing betweenthe wheels or legs laterally of a chair will not exceed 26 to 27 inches, the-interior spacing indicated 'by the dimension'line 30 will be at least 28 inches or 30 inches. At the same time,.the depth of the U-structure, as indicatedby the dimension line 31, will be suflicient so -that the table may be moved directly under the arms G of the user without the base bar 10 striking the feet or legs of the user. The dimension for line 31, for example, may vary from 14 to 24 inches. V

In thestructure. shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the. pedestal B extends beyond the outer face 32 of the leg 11. The inside face 33 of the pedestal B is flush, as indicated at 34, with the inside face of the leg 11.

Desirably, the lower edges 350i the pedestal B are welded, as indicated at 36 in Fig. 3, to the top and outside faceof the channel leg. 11.

It will be noted in Fig. 3 that the, lower end 37 of the pedestal B has quite a long overhang. outside of the channel 22 and, if desired, a side structure may be provided. to carry the base of the pedestal even beyond the leg structure 11.

However, in the structure shown best in Fig. 3 the pedestal B consists of an inside sleeve 45 which is welded at its lower end to the channel 11 and in which it telescopes upwardly within the outer rectangular sleeve 46..

These sleeves 45 and 46 slide in respect to one another to adjust the vertical position of the table C. The interior sleeve 45 has a cross-bar 47 with a capped or threaded central bore 48 through which extends the threaded adjustment element 49.

i The element 49 extends upwardlythrough the collar 50 and the ball bearing 51 and through the bearing structure 52 in the bar or U-member 53.

The bar or U-member 53 has the upturned ends 54 which are suspended by means of the bolts or studs 55 from the bearing collars 57 and 58.

These bearing collars are mounted on the sides 59 and 60 of the upper portion of the outer sleeve 46. The adjusting handle 59:: is mounted on the lower end of the arm 60 and it is connected to the rod 61. The rod'61 extends through the opening 62 in the Wall 59 of the sleeve 46, and it also has bearings in the bearing collars 57 and 58. Mounted upon the shaft 61 is the bevel gear 63 held in position thereon by the pin 64.

The upper end of the threaded rod 49 above the member 53 also receives the bevel gear 65, which is held in position by the pin 66. By turning the. handle 59 it is possible to elevate or lower the rod 49 and. thus elevate or lower the table C.

Table C may be a dressing table and have suitable compartments for holding cosmetic articles or writing materials, or it may merely be an elevated board or plastic plaque to support a dining tray F, as shown in Fig. 1.

Asshown in Fig. 3, the table top C is supported by the angle brackets 67 which are mounted in position by the element 68. If desired, there may be a lower supporting structure, as indicated at 69 and 70, for the table top C adjacent the pedestal B.

By placing the pedestal B to one side and beyond the leg- 11, then by spacing the legs 11 and 12 so as to embrace the wheels D of the chair E, assurance is had that the table top may be moved into position directly under the arms of the patient H without the need of the patient tostretch or extend her arms.

The invalid table of Figs. 1 to 3, although particularly designed for chairs, may also be used fortables, beds and cribs without interference with the supporting or base structure. With chairs particularly thecross-bar 10 and the side legs 11 and 12 will not strike or be stopped against the wheels or other supporting structure of the chair.

In the alternate embodiment of Figs. 4 and the U-base structure M has the base leg 80 and the side legs 81 and 82. In this case, the pedestal N extends longitudinally on the leg 81 and is welded at 84 to the top face 83 of the channel leg 81.

The table top P is slotted, as indicated at 85, so that the extension 86 of the handle 87 may be swung in either direction, as indicated by the double arrow 88. The shank 89 of the handle 86 has a pivot connection at 90 to the upstanding portion 91.

The pedestal N has the outer sleeve 92' and the inside sleeve 93. The bar 94, extending across the sides of the inside sleeve 93, has a threaded passage 95 for the threaded elevating rod 96. This rod 96 has an unthreaded portion 97 which is held in position by the collars 98 and 99 on opposite sides of the block 100. This block 100 is held in positionby the set screws 101.

In this arrangement, to elevate or lower the table P, the handle is swung upwardly in the direction 88 into the position of Fig. 5, and then by turningthe handle 87 the table top P may be readilyelevated and lowered.

In Fig. 6 the pedestal is shown mounted upon the righthand leg 82 instead of the lefthand leg 83, as indicated in Fig. 4.

Thoseparts in Fig. 6 which correspond to parts in Figs. 4 and 5 are designated by the same numerals but which are primed.

Itwill be noted that the pedestal N is positioned on the righthand side of the U-frame M and this is particularly suitable where a patient is righthanded and would use a lever or handle'87 on the righthand side to adjust the height of thepedestal N instead of a lefthand pedestal N to. adjust the height on the left side.

In Figs. 1 to 3 the U-frame A is formed of channel members opening downwardly whereas inv Figs. 4 to 6' the base frame M or M"is. formed of a tubular element.

It will be noted by reference to Fig. 5 that the inside telescoping element 93 extends directly through the tubular leg 81 and is welded in position to the top and bottom of the leg 81 at 84. V

On the other hand, with the structure of Fig. 7 the U-element 11 extends through a recess in the corner of the lower end 37 of the pedestal B' and it is welded in position asindicated'at 36'with the leg 11 extending throughboth side walls of the inside sleeve 45.

In the alternative embodiment of Fig. 8, the base U- frame is formed of two channel members 151 and 152 positioned inside of each other and welded'together as indicated at 155.

The vertical inside telescoping pedestal memberis welded in position at 153 to the top 156 of the. channel 151. It is also welded at 154 to the top 157 of the channel 152. This will also give a strong, rigid con,-

struction which will give adequate support to a telescoping vertical pedestal such as shown at B in Fig. 1 or N in Figs. 4 and 5.

Although the length of the legs of the U as indicated by the designation 31 in Fig. 2 may widely vary, this ments of this invention could be made without departing.

from the scope of the claim,,itis intended that all matter contained in the above. description. shall. be interpreted as illustrative and not in a'limiting sense.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, what is claimed is:

A single pedestal invalid table at which the invalid is to sit at one side thereof having a low base formed of a U-shaped tubular frame having two short legs and a long cross base connection between the ends of the legs and positioned in a horizontal plane, a high horizontal elongated rectangular table having short edges and long edges adjustable in height in respect to the low base, the legs of the U-shape being directly under and extending parallel to the short edges of the table and being longer than the short edge of the table and extending beyond the table toward the position of the invalid, said U-frame having floor contacting rollers under the ends of the legs both remote from the cross connection and at the junction of the legs and the cross connection, and a vertical post with telescoping tubular shells to support the table from the base, said post being connected at its lower end to the top of one of the legs midway of its ends and at its upper end to the bottom of the table at and midway of one of its short edges, the legs of said U-frame being sufiiciently widely spaced to permit ready placement of the table around and outside of the wheels of a wheel chair and said U-base-frame conthere being no other legs associated with said U-baseframe.

References Cited in the file'of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,273,599 Floyd July 23, 1918 1,380,007 Osterberg May 31, 1921 1,564,131 Dunlap Dec. 1, 1925 1,807,500 West May 26, 1931 1,916,537 Smith July 4, 1933 2,104,072 Carr Jan. 4, 1938 2,183,410 Scriven Dec. 12, 1939 2,234,483 Sutton Mar. 11, 1941 2,249,455 Caldwell July 15, 1941 2,318,458 Boren May 4, 1943 2,329,902 Hillenbrand Sept. 21, 1943 2,357,588 Hillenbrand Sept. 5, 1944 2,498,853 Hassold et al. Feb. 28, 1950 2,628,147 Berner Feb. 10, 1953 2,640,748 Holmberg June 2, 1953 

